Ianis Hagi caught in ‘Unbelievable’ footage in Rangers draw v Athletic Bilbao
Rangers will head to Bilbao with a tough but clear task after they played out as thrilling a goalless draw as you could get against Athletic Club at Ibrox on Thursday.
The Europa League quarter-final first leg was shrouded in controversy as Robin Propper was sent off after just 13 minutes for a professional foul on the edge of the Gers’ area.
Liam Kelly – in for Jack Butland in a massive call from Barry Ferguson – saved a penalty from Alex Berenguer with nine minutes left after the Spaniard had thought he’d scored but for a VAR offside shout.
The Light Blues, who also lost Bailey Rice to a nasty facial or head injury in the second half, have work to do over in the Basque region but will certainly back themselves in believing anything is possible.
Ianis Hagi raved over by Andy Halliday after Rangers moment
Hagi has had a rollercoaster campaign with Rangers, having missed months of the season when Philippe Clement was at the helm over a contract stand-off.
Having since returned, the Romanian international has made some major impacts and shown his quality on numerous occasions, even with Gers having faltered domestically in 2024-25.
Former Ibrox star Halliday raved over Hagi for one moment just before half-time, when he crucially tracked back to make a defensive intervention to deny Nico Williams.
Williams was preparing to let fly and test Liam Kelly, but Hagi “bust a gut” to make up ground and thwart the danger from the La Liga visitors.
“It’s unbelievable work rate from Ianis Hagi,” Halliday said live on BBC Sportsound after seeing footage (10 April, 20:45).
“You can see he has Nico Williams 10 yards outside the area, Ianis Hagi is on the halfway line, but he busts a gut back.
“When this backheel comes, you just expect the shot to come, Ianis Hagi comes from nowhere and defends the situation extremely well.”
Hagi is one man who could certainly prove pivotal in the second leg as Rangers seek moments of magic and match-winning flashes of brilliance.
Ferguson will be happy with stalemate
Ferguson will feel as if his matter of weeks in charge at Rangers has been a lot longer – especially if his Rangers side overcome Athletic Club next Thursday (17 April). Even when it’s goalless, it’s dramatic.
Given the topsy-turvy circumstances, the Gers will take missing out on a goal to lift Ibrox off its foundations, their 77 minutes with 10 men, penalty save to fill the emotional void and their tireless work-rate mean a goalless draw will certainly do the job, Ferguson’s first draw as manager.
| Barry Ferguson – Rangers manager | Total |
| Matches | 8 |
| Wins | 4 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Losses | 3 |
They undoubtedly remain underdogs in Bilbao next week, but a degree of motivation can be taken from the idea of returning to the Basque city for the final on 21 May.
And moreover, Rangers seldom perform more freely than when they are underdogs on a European night.
Game on in seven days. It’s set up on a knife-edge, and the finest margins could take either one of these sides into the final four.